Factors related to productivity and persistence of lucerne (Medicago sativa) genotypes with different fall dormancy levels: a review

The lucerne productive and nutritional potential make it the most used forage legume worldwide. This wide use leads genetic improvement programs to increasingly select the main requirements for a given edaphoclimatic condition. However, in Brazil, the research on genetic improvement of lucerne has been limited over the years, which has hindered the production of this species and the domination of other legumes in animal production, as estilosantes and pigeon pea. This literature review aimed to present results from countries such as New Zealand and Australia that lead the world ranking, as weel as Argentina, in the cultivation of this crop and that can be used as showcase to understand the management of lucerne. From extensive bibliometry analyses in the period between 1963 and 2021, variables as persistence and phyllochron in these countries indicate that it is possible to produce lucerne with similar productivity, longevity and quality in Brazil. Nevertheless, to leverage this production, not only genetic improvement should be aimed, but also research and dissemination of knowledge on the ideal management of defoliation and, mainly, on the choice of the genotype and dormancy level to be cropped by the producer.

Comparison of different head and neck positions and behaviour in ridden elite dressage horses between warm-up and competition

Summary Head and neck position (HNP) has been identified in literature as important influence on wellbeing. It was investigated in ridden elite dressage horses whether there is a relation between the HNP, ethological indicators and the grading in the warm-up area and in the test. 49 starters (83%) of a Grand-Prix Special (CDIO5 *) as part of the CHIO in Aachen 2018 and 2019 were examined. For each horse-rider pair, HNP (angle at vertical (AT), poll angle (PA), neck angel (NA)) used were analysed as well as conflict behavior for 3 minutes each in warm-up area and test. 6571 individual frames were used. The noseline was carried significantly less behind the vertical in test vs. warm-up (5.43 ° ± 4.19 vs. 11.01 ° ± 4.54 behind the vertical; T = 34.0; p < 0.05). The horses showed significantly less conflict behavior in the test vs. warm-up (123 ± 54 vs. 160 ± 75) (T = 76.00; p < 0.01). In the latter, a smaller PA and more defensive behaviour of the horses was observed compared to the test. A correlation between the grading of test and HNP was found (R = 0.38; p < 0.05). The further the noseline was behind the vertical, the higher was the chance of a good rating. The higher riders were ranked in the “FEI world ranking”, the higher were their marks in the competition (2018: r = -0.69, p < 0.05; 2019: r = -0.76, p < 0.05). Horses of riders higher in world ranking tended to show more unusual oral behaviour (r = -0.30, p < 0.05), and a noseline stronger behind the vertical (r = -0.37, p < 0.05) resulting in a smaller NA (r = 0.43, p < 0.05). This are from the point of view of animal welfare problematic results.

Plutocracy, Platonism and Education in Brazil: Some Reflections on the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Lancet stated in its editorial on the 9th of May 2020 that the situation in Brazil was very problematic insofar as the COVID-19 pandemic was concerned. More than a year later, Brazil already registered more than half a million deaths from complications of COVID-19, which places it in second place in the world ranking of deaths despite having the seventh-largest population in the world. Despite this utterly tragic situation, in July 2021, almost 40% of the Brazilian population approved of the federal government's role in confronting the pandemic, and the Brazilian elites have defended openly the view that the economy was more important than individuals' lives. Given this context, in this article, we reflect on the issue of plutocracy, demonstrating its platonic authoritarian foundations, in order to understand the Brazilian elites' attitude toward the pandemic, which had no proper regard or care for the most vulnerable in society. Through this philosophical inquiry we indicate the importance of education, particularly of philosophy of education, in encouraging educationists and educational systems to reflect on problematic issues and self-reflect so as to identify possible educational deficiencies and shortcomings that created the conditions for individuals' attitudes of indifference to the victims of the pandemic and the vulnerable in society.

World-ranking performance in judo athletes with visual impairment: An approach considering sport classes and weight categories

The objective of this study was to analyze the ranking scores in Paralympic judo athletes in different visual impairment classifications (B1, B2, and B3) and describe the frequency of athletes of each classification allocated in the first five and last five positions in the ranking list. A total of 488 judo athletes with visual impairment (332 male and 156 female) took part in this study. Data were extracted from the Official Ranking List, documented and organized by the International Blind Sports Federation, and analyzed according to sport classes (B1, B2, and B3) and weight categories. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the scores among different groups. The main results showed that B1 athletes presented lower total and best scores compared to B2 and B3 counterparts in both female ( p = .020, p < .001, respectively) and male groups ( p = .010, p = .005, respectively). In addition, when analyzing the ranking list position, there was a higher percentage of B1 athletes in the last five positions in female (60%) and male groups (60%) than B2 and B3 athletes. Investigations about classification and competitive system can assist coaches and sports organizations to identify the appropriateness of the ranking system scores adopted for athletes with visual impairment. Our findings showed some issues when considering competitive programming that includes all visual impairment classes in the same category.

A Atuação do Novo Banco de Desenvolvimento dos BRICS no Enfrentamento da Pandemia de Covid-19 l The BRICS New Development Bank's Role in Overcoming The Effects of Covid-19 Pandemic

Desde o final de 2019, o mundo vem lidando com desafios gerados pela pandemia da Covid-19. Os países que compõem o BRICS têm enfrentado grandes dificuldades, pois todos possuem características que facilitam o contágio do vírus, como por exemplo uma numerosa população. A China foi a primeira a enfrentar a crise, e agora os outros países do BRICS se encontram em posições elevadas no ranking mundial com mais casos de Covid-19. Dessa maneira, o presente artigo visa analisar de que forma o Novo Banco de Desenvolvimento (NBD) vem atuando durante o período de crise econômica gerada pela pandemia, examinando os pacotes de assistência direcionados aos países do BRICS. A partir da análise de documentos oficiais e projetos aprovados pelo banco, é possível constatar que a atuação do NBD é relevante para seus países-membros, os quais já obtiveram US$9 bilhões aprovados pela instituição direcionados ao enfrentamento da pandemia.Palavras-chave: Novo Banco de Desenvolvimento; Covid-19; BRICS.ABSTRACTSince the end of 2019, the world has been dealing with challenges generated by the Covid-19 pandemic. The countries that make up the BRICS have faced great difficulties, mainly because all of them have characteristics that facilitate contagion, such as a large population. China was the first to face the crisis, and now the other BRICS countries are in high positions in the world ranking with more cases of Covid-19. Thus, the present article aims to analyze how the New Development Bank (NDB) has been acting during the period of economic crisis generated by the pandemic, examining the assistance packages targeted at the BRICS countries. From the analysis of official documents and projects approved by the bank, it can be seen that the performance of NDB is relevant for its member countries, which have already obtained US$ 9 billion approved by the institution.Keywords: New Development Bank; COVID-19; BRICS. Recebido em: 03/04/2021 | Aceito em: 14/09/2021.

MEASURING THE QUALITY OF UNIVERSITIES ACTIVITY BY PARTICIPATION IN THE WORLD (SHANGHAI, TIMES, QS) AND NATIONAL RANKINGS

The natural character of using rankings for assessing the quality of universities activity is grounded. The world ranking experience for building the strategy-2 of the highest excellence higher education development is analysed. The problems facing Ukraine in ranking the higher education institutions are revealed. The proposals on creating the culture of universities ranking in Ukraine are given.

“Venice marathon”: participation of female Master Athletes shows a constant increase from 2003 to 2019

The marathon is the most classic Olympic running event. In several cities worldwide it has become very popular with participation increasing during the last 20 years, particularly by Master Athletes. There are evidences that long-distance running could provide considerable health benefits for older runners, specifically risk reduction of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, depression, and falls. Several studies have focused on the distribution of participants and their performance on famous marathons such as those of Berlin, Boston and New York. In this preliminary study we have analyzed data from several editions of the Venice marathon, a famous Italian race that attracts people from every corner of the world. The Venice marathon is listed in Abbott World Marathon Majors Wanda Age Group World Ranking and is Bronze Label certificated by IAAF, and Gold Label by FIDAL. The marathon starts outside Venice near Stra, then runs along the Brenta Riviera to Venice where the runners cross the canals over floating bridges set up for the race. For this study we analyzed data of the Venice marathon describing gender distribution in 17 editions (2003-2019), but groups of age-categories and their nationality only in 13 editions from 2007 to 2019. The analysis shows a steady increase in female participation, from 2003 to 2019.

Elite Badminton Is Getting Older: Ages of the Top 100 Ranked Badminton Players from 1994 to 2020

The purpose of this study was to determine the evolution of the age of badminton players in the top 100 of the World Ranking for men and women from 1994 to 2020. Data were collected from badminton players participating in the top 100 World Rankings (4800 entries: 1233 players; 595 men and 638 women) from 1994 to 2020. The mean age of the top 100 and the average highest ranking of the players were analysed for both genders. The mean age of the male players in the World Ranking increased from 23.7 ± 3.2 years in 1994 to 26.3 ± 4.4 years in 2020 (p < 0.001) and in female players, from 22.8 ± 3.8 years in 1994 to 24.7 ± 3.3 years in 2020 (p < 0.001). In addition, women recorded a younger age at entry into the top 100 and when reaching their best ranking. Additionally, there has been a clear increase in Asian players in the top 100 of the World Ranking in recent years, reaching over 60%. These data could be used to develop and organise training plans in this sport, optimising and maximising players’ performance.

Tax Concession In Life Insurance In Algeria

The Algerian insurance market remains under-exploited. In 2019, it generated a turnover of 152,148billion DA, of which 14.118MDA (9.27%) in life insurance. The insurance penetration (turnover / GDP) is about 0.68% against 2.14% in Tunisia and 3.88% in Morocco and a world average of 6.09%. Also, about the density (CA / Population), in Algeria, it is about 28 $ / head against 75$/ head in Tunisia and 127$ / head in Morocco and a world average of 682 $ / head. The purpose of this study is to show the impact of the life insurance tax system on the development of the latter. For that, we started by presenting the Algerian market insurance, its organization, its structure, its world ranking, this is to detect the difficulties and weaknesses of the latter, particularly the insurance branch of people and the reasons for his delay. Next, we have presented the efforts made by the public authorities in tax breaks to promote the latter, and the shortcomings related to the application of these measures, of which we have cited the Tunisian example, finally, we tried to give recommendations to better exploit these reliefs.